Virtual Orienteering Courses
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It may be called “virtual”, but there’s nothing virtual about the terrain, the exercise and the navigation … using your smartphone (or alternatively your Garmin smart watch), MapRun offers a new dimension of socially distanced orienteering while still giving a challenge. All you need to do is to load the free app, choose a course, get there and start!
View all our virtual courses on a map
MapRunF for your Android or iPhone.
Uses the GPS on your phone, starts timing you when you pass the Start control, registers any controls passed, stopping when you reach the Finish control and automatically uploads your results. There aren’t any traditional physical controls present. The app doesn’t give you any Control Descriptions so it’s recommended that you download and print a paper copy of the map which should have Control Descriptions included. In any case there is a tolerance built in so you don’t have to be on top of the control for it to register.
MapRunG for your compatible Garmin smart watch means you don’t need to take your smart phone with you (but it does need to be linked with it).
More info / MVOC’s video
Select the Course
- Once the MapRunF app is running, choose Select Event
- Select UK then the county
- Select the course you want
- Wait for the course data to download to your phone – you can do this at home
- If you’re using a Garmin watch, send the course to it
- Ensure your phone is fully charged (using the app is heavy on the battery)
- Get a printout of the map, this will be easier to navigate from
Follow the Course
- When you have reached the Start control and are ready, click Go to Start
- There will be a red dot indicating your position on the map until the app registers the start. This will disappear while the course is being followed.
- The app bleeps when the the Start control has registered. The colour of the control will change from pink to green. You might need to wait a few moments especially if you’re under trees. A timer for the course will then start.
- As you follow the course then the app should register each Control in the same way (a beep and the control changes colour to green). You don’t have to be on top of the control, it should register within 5 – 10m, but you might need to wait a little while. Depending on your phone, the app might occasionally freeze – if so then restart it – you shouldn’t lose your progress so far – when it starts up it should ask whether you want to resume your course.
- When you pass by the Finish control, the timer stops. If it’s a Score course, the app will work out your points.
- Your results should be uploaded automatically to the MapRunF server whether you’re running with a smart phone or a Garmin watch.
- Remember that you are wholly and solely responsible for your own safety and conduct while following the course either with the printed map or the MapRunF app.
MapRun Courses Available
MapRun.uk portal – MapRun courses within 20 mile radius of Guildford (also possible to adjust the search parameters) – automatically updated with any new MapRun courses
British Orienteering list/map of all Permanent Virtual Orienteering Courses in the South East region (also possible to adjust the search parameters)
map below shows courses from GO, SN, MV, BADO @ Dec 2020
Guildford Orienteers – 8 Map Run locations:
- Farncombe Urban Score MapRun
- Farnham Urban Score MapRun
- Cranleigh Urban Score MapRun
- Guildford Urban Score MapRun
- Guildford Stoke Park MapRun (5 courses)
- Guildford Newlands Corner MapRun (1 course)
- Guildford St. Martha’s 10km Trail MapRun
- Petwork Park MapRun (3 courses)
Southern Navigators – 5 MapRun locations
BADO – 15 MapRun locations
Mole Valley – 8 MapRun locations
South Downs – 20 MapRun locations
TVOC – 6 MapRun locations